State

Low-Income Rate Assistance

PIPP Plus
Ohio's regulated gas and electric utilities are mandated to participate in the statewide PIPP. Low-income customers who heat with natural gas pay 6 percent of their monthly income or $10 (whichever is greater) to their gas or electric company. Customers with all-electric homes pay $10 or 10 percent of their gross monthly household income each month, whichever is greater. Zero-income customers are required to pay a $10 minimum monthly payment for both natural gas and electric. When PIPP Plus payments are made on time and in full, customers earn an incentive credit and an arrearage credit. Each time they pay their required monthly payment on time and in full, they no longer owe the rest of that month's billed amount. They also receive a one-twenty-fourth credit toward any old debt. If they make full, on-time payments for 24 months straight, all of the arrearages would be eliminated. Eligibility: must receive primary or secondary heat source from a company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, total household income must be 150 percent FPG or below, and, if eligible, must apply for all energy assistance programs. PIPP is administered by the Ohio Department of Development’s HEAP (or LIHEAP) office.
1-800-282-0880 (Ohio HEAP)http://development.ohio.gov/is/is_pipp.htm
Contact local community action agencies at: www.oacaa.org/directory/
Contact County Job and Family Services Agencies at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.pdf

Winter Reconnect Program
Allows residential customers of regulated utilities that have been disconnected or are threatened with disconnection due to non-payment of a utility bill to have service restored by paying either the total amount they owe or $175, whichever is less, plus a reconnection fee of no more than $36. The Winter Reconnect Order may be used once during each heating season, which runs from mid-October through mid-April. There is no income eligibility requirement for the Winter Reconnect Program. Income-eligible households can use Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (E-HEAP) funds for the $175 payment. No signup is required. If service has been disconnected for non-payment or is being threatened with disconnection, the customer must pay the required fees to the utility company and follow the company’s procedures to get reconnected. If paying at an authorized agent, the customer will also need to call the utility with the receipt number to report the payment.

Low-Income Energy Efficiency

The Electric Partnership Program (EPP) was provided for under Ohio's 1999 electric restructuring legislation and is funded by the electric universal service rider. Its goal is to reduce electric consumption by households that participate in the state's Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). The program is targeted to high consumption, high arrears PIPP households and is composed of two types of programs:

A baseload efficiency program which audits lighting, appliances and all other uses of electricity not related to heating and installs appropriate measures; and,

A weatherization program for those who heat with electricity and who have moderate to high usage. This program adds insulation, performs heating system inspections and addresses health & safety measures.

The EPP began operations in March 2002 and is administered by the Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency. USFMail@odod.state.oh.us for more information.

In addition to programs offered by electric utilities through EPP, gas utilities also provide energy efficiency programs. LIHEAP funds transferred to the Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency are matched with utility funds to allow local providers to serve more households.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan Credit Program
Customers who have been on the PIPP program for one year and have more than 12 months PIPP arrears may be eligible for PIPP credits. The amount of credit is based on the total 12 months arrears. This credit is applied to the outstanding balance and not to the current installment.

Fresh Start
An arrearage-crediting program for customers no longer on PIPP.

Duke Energy

Ohio Gas Residential Low Income Pilot Program
Duke Energy Ohio is launching a new pilot program to help low-income residents save money on the cost of natural gas service. Customers who are at or below 175% of the federal poverty guideline, are not enrolled in the PIPP and who use less than 900 ccf of natural gas annually are eligible for the program. The first 10,000 customers to enroll will receive a $4 monthly credit to offset rate increases. Customers who have been part of the Home Energy Assistance Program in the past year have been automatically enrolled in the pilot program. Other customers who are eligible can enroll by filling out a self-verification form available at Duke’s customer service office at 644 Linn Street in Cincinnati or at your local Community Action Agency. An application is also available on Duke's website. Call Duke Energy at (513) 421-9500, or from a toll area call (800) 544-6900. Persons who have a hearing impairment may call the TDD/TYY toll free number (800) 752-6254.www.duke-energy.com/ohio/special-assistance/oh-res-low-income-pilot.asp

Ohio Electric Residential Low Income Pilot Program
Provides assistance to low-income electric customers by making lower rates available to eligible customers.
Customers who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline and are not enrolled in the PIPP are eligible for the program. An application is available on Duke Energy's website and at Duke’s customer service office at 644 Linn Street in Cincinnati or at your local Community Action Agency. Call Duke Energy at (513) 421-9500, or from a toll area call (800) 544-6900. Persons who have a hearing impairment may call the TDD/TYY toll free number (800) 752-6254.www.duke-energy.com/ohio/special-assistance/oh-electric-res-low-income-pilot.asp

Low-Income Energy Efficiency

American Electric Power
gridSMART Community Assistance
Customers living on low or fixed incomes may be eligible to receive weatherization assistance or repair services. You may be eligible for this program if you are enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP), or Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and your gross income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Energy efficiency measures may include: home energy assessment, attic and wall insulation, air sealing, CFLs, refrigerator replacement or other energy-saving improvements. Contact your local community-based agency to apply or contact AEP Ohio at 1-800-672-2231 for more information. https://www.aepohio.com/save/programs/SMARTCommunityAssist.aspx

Columbia Gas
Warm Choice
Weatherization measures include insulation, air sealing and high-efficiency furnaces. Homeowners and renters whose income is 150% or less of federal poverty guidelines are eligible. To apply for WarmChoice benefits, call the WarmChoice toll free number at 1-800-952-3037 to be directed to your local provider. www.columbiagasohio.com/en/your-home/Rights/Assistance-Programs.aspx

Dominion East Ohio
Housewarming Program
Provides weatherization assistance to help eligible customers reduce their energy usage. The program provides free weather-stripping, attic and sidewall insulation, door sweeps and other insulation devices. Client education is also part of the Housewarming Program to educate consumers on ways to reduce consumption effectively. For information, call 1-888-377-3774.www.dom.com/dominion-east-ohio/customer-service/your-bill/energy-assistance-programs.jsp

Duke Energy
Income-qualified customers receive a furnace or heat pump clean and tune, energy-efficient light bulbs, energy-saving tips and if needed, a hot water heater wrap, weather stripping and pipe wrap. Depending on the condition of your home and its energy usage, other services may include duct sealing, wall and attic insulation and other air leakage sealing measures. For additional information, call People Working Cooperatively at 513-351-7921 or e-mail kschroder@duke-energy.com and reference this program. www.duke-energy.com/ohio/savings/home-weatherization.asp

Vectren
TEEM
Qualifying households can receive energy efficiency measures in their home at no cost. Improvements, such as upgrading insulation or installing a new natural gas furnace, are made by a team of energy efficiency professionals from the Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area. Households with income at 300 percent of poverty or less are eligible for the program. Call 1-800-617-2673 to see if you qualify.www.vectren.com/Save_Energy/Home_Weatherization.jsp?sstate=OH

Emergency Charitable Assistance

Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.

American Electric Power
Neighbor to Neighbor Program
AEP Ohio and Dollar Energy Fund have teamed up to assist low-income AEP Ohio customers who have difficulty paying their electric bill. Eligible customers will receive a utility assistance grant applied directly to their AEP Ohio bill. Contact AEP at 1-800-277-2177 or locate a local agency at the website address below to apply for assistance. www.dollarenergy.org/need-help/ohio/neighbor-neighbor-program/

Columbia Gas

Auction Fuel Fund
This fund can provide up to $250 per heating season and is a fund of last resort for families who have exhausted all other available emergency assistance programs. Households at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for this fund.
Lucas County: Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo Inc. (EOPA), 866-504-7392
Wood, Seneca, Ottawa and Sandusky counties: WSOS Community Action Commission Inc., 419-334-8911
Columbia Customer Contact Center, 1-800-344-4077

Duke Energy
HeatShare
Designed to assist those in need with heating bills during the winter season. Eligibility is based upon need and doesn't necessarily follow government assistance guidelines. An individual must be subject to disconnection of service in order to qualify. Eligible customers may apply for a one-time annual assistance beginning mid-January through May or until funds are depleted. For additional information or to apply for assistance, contact the Salvation Army at 513-721-0795 after the program begins in mid-January.www.duke-energy.com/community/programs/heatshare.asp

Ohio EdisonProject Reach
Provides once-a-year financial assistance to disabled, unemployed or low-income customers who might lose electric service because of overdue energy bills. The Salvation Army determines eligibility and administers the program. For more information, contact the local Salvation Army office.
1-800-633-4766

The Illuminating CompanyCommunity Outreach Opportunity Program (CO-OP)
Provides once-a-year financial assistance to disabled, unemployed or low-income customers who might lose electric service because of overdue energy bills. The Salvation Army determines eligibility and administers the program. For more information, contact the Cleveland Salvation Army.
216-861-8185

Toledo EdisonNeighbors Helping Neighbors
Provides once-a-year financial assistance to disabled, unemployed or low-income customers who might lose electric service because of overdue energy bills. The Salvation Army determines eligibility and administers the program. For more information, contact the Toledo Salvation Army.
419-241-3549

Logan County Cooperative
Operation Round Up
Health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, child care programs, and individuals with special needs are just a few of the possibilities for customer Operation Round Up donations. Online applications are available.
937-592-4781www.loganrec.com/oprounddesc.asp

Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative
People Fund
Customer donations can assist individuals with special needs, health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, and child care programs. Deadlines for grant applications are March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
For more information, contact the cooperative’s Member Services Department at 440-647-2133 or emailwww.lmre.org/myCommunity/peopleFund.aspx

North Central Electric Cooperative
People Fund
Customer donations can assist individuals with special needs, health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, and child care programs. Deadlines for grant applications are March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. For more information, contact the cooperative's Member Services Department at 419-426-3072 or by email.www.ncelec.org/myCommunity/peoplefund.aspx